From July 4 until July 19, 2023, I was invited to paint at the Cape May Point Science Center in Cape May Point, New Jersey, and be the center's very first artist-in-residence. The beautiful building that the newly established science center is housed, used to be a hotel, a hospital, and, up until 2020, a seaside retreat for the Sisters of St. Joseph out of Philadelphia. I ended up making 13 pieces of work in that time frame; 5 oil paintings and 8 small gouache and mixed media pieces inspired by my surroundings. A exhibition was held on July 19, 2023 where artwork was shown and sold. Artist Statement is below.
This body of work shows the observations and impressions of my residency at the Cape May Point Science Center and being a first time visitor of Cape May. I notice so much in terms of light, composition, repetition of forms and shapes, skies, colors, angles, shadows, -ishes, and patterns as I move through my day. The collection of 8 gouache and mixed media pieces are artworks I created in the mornings during my stay at the science center. They served to set the tone of my day and to lead me into my painting practice. The 5 larger oil paintings show vignettes around the beautiful grounds and building of the science center.
For the courtyard painting “Saint Mary by-the-Sea,” I wanted to capture the scope and vastness of the outdoor space during a particular time of day - the Golden Hour. This is when the light is the best and shadows and angles are sharp. I love how striking and dramatic the cast shadow of the building’s roofline is. In “Summer Standards” I wanted to depict the lush pollinator garden around the statue of St. Mary. Watching the science center’s gardeners take such great care of the outdoor space during my stay here really inspired me to represent their work in this piece. Plus, who doesn’t love a big mound of daisies?!
The glow of the setting sun in “Glowing, Fading” and the way the light affects the surfaces of the building and the boardwalk is the main focus in this painting. It’s a time capsule really - that moment of light, won’t ever exist again.
Being raised in a Catholic family, painting at a former retreat for the Sisters of St. Joseph has been fortuitous. My baptismal name is Mary Frances and drawing/painting the Mary statue so many times is apropos. I can imagine my parents would be proud; my Dad really wanted one of his daughters to be a nun - I suppose this is the closest one of us will get.
For the courtyard painting “Saint Mary by-the-Sea,” I wanted to capture the scope and vastness of the outdoor space during a particular time of day - the Golden Hour. This is when the light is the best and shadows and angles are sharp. I love how striking and dramatic the cast shadow of the building’s roofline is. In “Summer Standards” I wanted to depict the lush pollinator garden around the statue of St. Mary. Watching the science center’s gardeners take such great care of the outdoor space during my stay here really inspired me to represent their work in this piece. Plus, who doesn’t love a big mound of daisies?!
The glow of the setting sun in “Glowing, Fading” and the way the light affects the surfaces of the building and the boardwalk is the main focus in this painting. It’s a time capsule really - that moment of light, won’t ever exist again.
Being raised in a Catholic family, painting at a former retreat for the Sisters of St. Joseph has been fortuitous. My baptismal name is Mary Frances and drawing/painting the Mary statue so many times is apropos. I can imagine my parents would be proud; my Dad really wanted one of his daughters to be a nun - I suppose this is the closest one of us will get.